Yard waste

Minnesota law prohibits yard waste in the landfill. Yard waste includes leaves, brush, grass clippings, branches and similar natural waste. Both the Rice County Solid Waste Facility and community compost sites take yard waste at no cost.

Compostable bags are allowed; material should not be placed in plastic bags as these cannot be placed in the compost area. 

Information for other compost sites can be found at

• City of Faribault
• City of Lonsdale
• City of Northfield
• City of Morristown

Composting

Composting is a process that uses water, air and naturally occurring microbes to convert organic matter into a valuable resource. Added to gardens or placed at the base of trees and shrubs, compost contains essential nutrients for healthy plant growth, acts as a soil conditioner, helps the soil to hold moisture better and prevents erosion.

A backyard compost pile can be easily constructed and maintained. Find information on backyard composting and options for building compost structures on the Composting page and at the sites listed below.